Abu Dhabi’s twofour54 has confirmed that the next part of the hit action franchise, starring Vin Diesel, is the next Hollywood movie to benefit from the 30 per cent rebate on production costs offered by the capital’s media hub.

It had looked like Dubai was in line to be the filming location, after an interview with Digital Spy in May in which Diesel revealed that the makers of the franchise were looking at the Middle East and Tokyo as potential shooting destinations for the next film in the car-based action series.

Last month, a casting call on an auditioning website in Los Angeles, said Fast & Furious 7 was looking for extras in Tokyo and Dubai.

“Casting calls will be going out in Los Angeles for starring, co-starring, and supporting roles... Shooting will also take place in Tokyo and Dubai. The extras will be cast near the locations where filming will take place. Principal photography commences September, 2013,” posted Acting-Auditions.org.

However, Jamal Al Sharif, chairman of the Dubai Film & TV Commission, told tabloid! on Tuesday that they have no confirmation about Fast & Furious looking at Dubai as a potential filming location.

“I don’t know yet whether they will film in Dubai. We need to wait and see,” said Sharif.

The seventh instalment in the billion-dollar franchise will be directed by Malaysian-born Australian filmmaker James Wan, with Diesel returning as Dominic Torretto. The sixth film also introduced a new nemesis for Diesel’s character, to be played by British action star Jason Statham. Returning stars include Paul Walker, Michelle Rodrigue and Dwayne Johnson.